Friday, August 13, 2010

Happy Birthday SRIDEVI


My Dear Sridevi Fan Readers,

I have been a Sridevi Fan since I was a kid and have watched all her South Films in the initial stages much before she came to Hindi Films. I hail from Mangalore and am more of a South Indian, besides my dad was a distributor and a theater manager, so the access to watch Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada Films were easy. Later on, we had video cassette Library and then musical shops too.. When I grew, had the entire collections of her magazines, pix, audio, video and had my room wall posted and also painted. I am being known as the Big Fan of Sri in Mangalore.
I went on LIVE to Radio Station FM in Bangalore a few years back on her Birthday and claimed to be the Biggest Fan. It was a three hours show which I hosted and asked questions.. No one could match my answers.
I have written page pull out of her history and her Entire Filmography when I was a journalist in Canara Times, Mangalore.
I have also dressed in a drag and danced to Sridevi's numbers in my college days. I used to be called as Sridevi Malani by name... Hence, today on her Birthday.. I am launching my blog which is HAWAA HAWAAII - SRIDEVI with the website being called Sridevi Malani.. She is Boney's wife, But also she is my Life!

Luv Yu Sri
Yours
Sun

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Sridevi ka SAHARA phir se mila MALANI IYER (oops.. MALINI IYER) se!


I was very excited (amongst the entire nation of Sri fans) when I got to know that Sri is coming home directly (I mean to say at our Tv sets) as Malini Iyer. And like her new release film, was very much excited to look forward to its release (telecast). Just Imagine, how it feels when Sridevi who had said Good Bye to films in 1996 - that JUDAAI bardasht nahi ho payee.. And mujhe Sridevi ka SAHARA mila as she came back as Malini Iyer.
(P.S: SAHARA launched the serial).
This was produced by Sridevi and Boney Kapoor and directed by Calendar Kaushik. It came on Television in 2004 (8 yrs after she said bye to Silver screen). And we culd watch Malini every Mon & Tue at 9 pm. It was all about Sri in her real life with some reel added to it. Malini is a South Indian girl married to Punjabi (Mahesh Thakur) and how she brings both cultures together thanks to her expressions, mannerisms, acting (which was not at all over act).. It was so nice to see her mouth the lines - Mere Do Do Pati, Ek Mera Pati, Ek Tirupathi! As a perfect wife, bahu and sister in law, she was the Gharwali No.1 in this comedy serial. I fondly, used to call this serial MALANI IYER!

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Malini Fan!

Reshma knows my fascination for Sridevi. And she does not say anything but encourages me too! Wah, MERI BIWI KA JAWAB NAHIN!


Just imagine a film with Akshay Kumar and Sridevi... This pair was undoubtedly, a odd pair but with the histronics of the Khiladi and his comic timings and to which Sridevi's mannerisms and her acting calibres... this film should have been a blockbuster. But the sad part is that, it was a major failure. No one even knew when this film got released and one gets to watch it on small screen on an odd day. It was a worst film from the makers. Directed by Pankaj Kapoor (who gave Sridevi the best double role ever - Chaalbaaz).. finally, when the film got delayed in the making, Pankaj opted out and the film got completed by an unknown person (SM Iqbal). Forget it, even Sri and Akshay forgot the film and didnt even promote it. It took pretty long years to complete. And the end result being... that it was Bad! Sri didnt dub for the film and a jr. artiste did it. It sounded horrible. Many of the scenes looked like Ham scenes and moreover, the comedy looked like tragedy. The film was a remake of a Telugu hit done by Vijayashanti and the films Kannada version was done by Malasri.
Getting on to the story, Akki and Devi (Durga) are childhood friends, they grow fall in love and get married. Akki becomes a officer and moves to city, while Devi who is uneducated and does not know to speak English (!). While Akki is in duty, Sri makes herself occupied by solving the problems of her neighbourhood and falls in a trap. Akki comes to her rescue and says, Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin! Lol!

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi ki filmon se JUDAAI mujhe bardasht nahi hothi! - Please come back, Sri!


Officially, this was the last film of Sridevi, years ago. After which she took a sabbatical break. The last film of the hit jodi Anil Kapoor and Sridevi. When the film was made, Sridevi and Boney Kapoor got married. While the film turned out to be success, Sri delivered the baby girl (Jhanvi) the name given to Urmila's character in the film.
Getting back to the film, Sri played a poor greedy wife who wants to become rich at any cost. She wants to have a luxurious life. A middle class lady with two kids, even lies to her college friend (Poonam) that she is rich with bungalows and cars. Enters Urmila, who is the boss of Anil in her dad's company. Urmila although knows that Kapoor is married, she loves him. She gets to know Sri's greed and buys Anil from her by paying her a huge amount that could make her dream come true. Urmila becomes Anil's second wife. All the three stay together in a house with their kids.. They now sing a three-et (Anil, Sri and Urmila sing - Pyar Vyar Karte karte). After many reels pass by, Sri learns her mistake. Richness and greed is of no use, Husband's love is important. Finally its Judaai time, for one.. Check out the film if you haven't. The film was a huge success. And Sri truly deserved an award for it, but the other competitors in the category who did not match her standard, won the award.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi fan

KAUN SACHCHA KAUN JHOOTA: Rishi - Devi's this film was unromantic and forgettable!


Rishi Kapoor, a mad man comes into the life of Sridevi. She is irritated as Rishi Kapoor claims her as his wife. Suresh Oberoi (Rishi's father) pleads with Devi to nurse him as she resembles his belated wife. Sri does her job. Sings duet with him. He gets back his lost memory. Eventually they both really fall in love. Again they sing duet and they decide to get married. Its their engagement. Sri now wants to disclose a secret to Rishi. She does so. She confesses that she has accidentally killed someone. Rishi arrests her. I am shocked and so is Sridevi (on screen) and everyone watching the film too. Well, Rishi is a CBI officer and was planting a game as he wanted to know the truth. Sri is put behind bars. She hates Rishi for this conspiracy. He too wants to help her, but finally everything is fine, before a suspense is revealed as Sri isnt the culprit. A flop film, which many might not have even heard of. Infact, Both Rishi and Sridevi have been paired in romantic films and memorable ones.. Notable being Chandni, Nagina, Gurudev to even Banjaran. But this one, is to be forgettable. None of the scenes and songs in the film are notable!

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

I could not meet Sridevi till date... Am I not MR. BECHARA?


Nagarjuna and Sridevi are in love. But Sri's brother is against it. So, while they are ready to get married, he bumps on them. Nag is hit badly and is shown thrown from a hill. Sridevi too jumps in a river. She is found alive by a doctor Kher. Sri now has lost her memory (nothing to do with her child like behavior of Sadma). Anil Kapoor has lost his wife (Heera) and has an small infant. Kher is Anil's friend. So, he takes advantage of the situation and makes Sri - Anil's wife. Anil at first hesitates but later co-operates.. Sri does not know anything of her past, until after many funny situations (Shakti Kapoor is at his best), Nagarjuna comes back on the scene. All ends well, as finally Nagarjuna ends up being Mr. Bechara. K Bhagyaraj directed this film from his original Tamil hit, Vetille Visheshanga.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

King Khan and Queen Devi together with a bunch of Soap Guys formed an ARMY!


Sridevi plays Geetha, a lawyer. Her military husband Shah Rukh Khan (in a guest role) is killed brutally by Danny. Sri resigns from the post as she does not get justice. So with the help of her police inspector brother (Kiran Kumar) she flees 5 criminals from the jail and they form a Army (Harish, Ronit Roy, Ravi Kissen, Mohnish Behl and Sudesh Berry). The guys have their C grade heroines too. Stunt master Ram Shetty directs the film. This film can be compared to Sholay and Karma as Sridevi plays the Sanjeev Kumar/Dilip Kumar role. The guys (except Harish) went on to become famous in Television soaps thanks to Balaji.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sri and Nag's GREAT ROBBERY made no news at all!


Ram Gopal Varma's telugu flop Govinda Govinda, turned also to be a flop in Hindi. The Tirupathi golden statue from the famous temple is stolen. A small boy is witness to the Great Robbery. Nagarjuna and the boy go to Bangkok with the help of Sridevi as the villains have migrated there. Sridevi had a visit to Tirupathi before and Nag was a guide over there. Thats how they met and fell in love. And during that time, she had left her address stating that anytime you come to Bangkok meet me. Hence, as the story had to move forward, Sridevi is in Bangkok to help Nag. During the climax, Sri is killed by the villain. The Lord of Tirupathi comes in form of the young boy and destroys the gang. Sri is brought back to life. A fantasy film with miracles galore. The end result - The Great Flop!

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi is every cine-goer's LAADLI


The film is remake of Tamil (Mannan) and Telugu (Gharana Moghadu) with Rajnikanth and Chiranjeevi respectively. Anil Kapoor played the Hindi version with Divya Bharthi and Raveena Tandon. But it was the fatal death of Divya that made Sridevi do the entire completed film once again. Devi played the angry arrogant Business woman Sheetal Jetley, whose only aim is to be No.1 in all fields. She claims to as she is the No.1 Business Woman. To teach an lesson of insult to her, she purposely gets married to her mechanic (employee of her company) Anil. Anil was in love with Devi's secretary Raveena. How, hubby wins the heart of the stubborn and selfish Devi forms the part of the interesting story. A musical hit, Sridevi was shown in a negative shade originally played by Vijayashanthi and Naghma respectively.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi ki sundartha ko dekhkar- aaj bhi main HAIRAAN reh jaatha hoon!


Ram Gopal Varma's Telugu hit, Kshana Kshanam turned to be the flop Hairaan. Sri and Venkatesh, strangers to each other in a rare situation run away together from the city to jungles as goons are behind them. They unaware of the reason, later come to know when they investigate. Until interval, they roam around the jungle, sing romantic duets, dance to exotic numbers and get into funny situations thanks to Sridevi's mannerisms. (Check out her facial expressions). Back to the city, they come to know that the goons are behind Sri and not the pick pocketer Venky, as Sri has a document which has a bank robbery details, the code number which can get lots of money. Paresh Rawal is the funny villain. Keeravani songs are a treat to hear and a feast to eyes as the choreography is simply awesome by Prabhu Deva!

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi no doubt is CHAAND KA TUKDAA!


Saawan Kumar's worst film to date. And no, with the failure of this film you just cant blame Sridevi for it. Because. it was this successful filmaker who gave a scrap, nonsense product. While he had started the project he was looking for a fresh face to do the title role and after screen testing about 100's and 100's of new girls around the whole country, he found (or was it a publicity gimmick) the right choice in Sridevi. And naturally, she was the best choice for the title. No one is as beautiful as this Moon. After all she was the Original Chandni and then Chandramukhi and now Chaand Ka Tukdaa. The film, a love story had nothing new to offer. Salman plays her love interest. Shatrughan Sinha and Mehmood support them. Mahesh Kishore composed melodious tunes. Lata Mangeshkar's song 'Aaj Radha Ko Shyaam Yaad Aagaya' was a wonderful dandia number.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

har AADMI is APSARA ka Deewana hai. Main Sabse Bada Bhakth Hoon.


Dubbed from the Telugu hit, 'Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari'. This is a fantasy film wherein Sri is the Devi (Daughter of Lord Vishnu). She wishes to come to the earth with her friends. Her wish is granted. She goes to the Himalayas. Over there, Chiranjeevi comes to collect the Ayurvedic medicine (he is a human being). He collects the medicine and a precious ring and goes back to his native place. Sridevi is not allowed to enter the gate of Heaven. Reason: She has lost the ring. (Did you get that?) She is made to go back, take the human form (with all magic powers she has) and advised to get back with the ring and get back within a said time. She comes into Chiru's life. Chiru stays with 4 children (Baby Shalini, Shyamili amongst them) and a doggie for company! Sri does not succeed in getting the ring from Chiru's finger. Amrish Puri (Tantrik) gets to know that Sri is not an ordinary human being. And as he sniffed in Nagina and got to know that she is a snake woman, ditto - here, he gets to know she is a Goddess! He traps her. Chiru comes to the rescue and finally, Sri gives up her angelic powers and feathers and stays back on earth. The film directed by K Raghavendra Rao was a huge success in Telugu and did moderate well in its Hindi version too. The original Dhak Dhak karne laga from Beta was taken from this film - which went - Abbanee Theeyanni Dhabba in Telugu and what an awesome song and gorgeous Devi..
You wont believe, I have seen this film umpteen number of times and is still my favorite.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi (Apsara) Fan!

Sridevi's face is just like CHANDRAMUKHI!


This film was Salman Khan's story idea. He is a small boy, who Sridevi (Angel) transforms suddenly to a youth. Although Salman is grown, he is still childish and plays with the children half his age (from his younger days). He wants to express his feelings to his friends and tell them that he is the same boy, but no one believes him. Sri and Salman fall in love, but in the climax she has to get back to the place from where she came (Heaven). This film had some romantic songs picturised on Sri and Salman. A similar type of story that Sridevi being an Angel was made in Telugu titled Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari.. but the similarity was only that she is an Angel.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi ke dubbed films ke baare main aap logon ko jaankari dena MERA FARZ hai!


Telugu film 'Aakhri Porattam' which was a successful one, was dubbed in Hindi to be a flop film titled MERA FARZ. Sridevi and Nagarjuna are CBI Officers. They are out to destroy Amrish Puri's criminal plans. Suhasini is also in love with Nag, whom Sri loves very much. Nag and Suhasini are about to get married, but Nag learns Sri's true love and sacrifices his marriage. Illayaraja has composed music for the film, directed by K Raghavendra Rao. This was the first film of Sri - Nagarjuna and then after this they went on to do five films and Sri also started promoting Nag to Hindi films!

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan

Sridevi becomes GUMRAH between Saajan and Aashiqui guy!


Mahesh Bhatt's Indian version of Bangkok Hilton. Rahul Roy and Sridevi (Roshni) are in love. Sri does not know the evil motives behind Rahul's love. He uses her for exploring drugs (without her knowledge). She gets caught and is behind the bars. Sanjay Dutt (Her fan, as Sri is a pop singer), loves Devi very much and helps her come out of the jail. Also in the process is her search for her father (Kher), who left her away when she was a kid. Aashiqui guy gets bashed up by the Saajan guy in the climax, and Chandni wins the heart of her fan! (my heart too). Sridevi gave an wonderful and award winning performance but sadly, she never won an award for the film.

Sundeep Malani
A die hard Sridevi Fan!

Main Sridevi ka Sabse Bada Fan Hoon... Aur iska KHUDA GAWAH hai!


Late Mukul Anand directed this mega Muslim social drama, which had all the ingredients : Love, Songs, Action, Drama, Comedy in a stylish way. Shot in Afganistan, Sridevi played dual role of mother Benazir and daughter Mehndi to perfection. Well, we can always expect her to do everything in perfection! Just Imagine, a film of Bachchan and Devi dominates the film with her presence in dual roles. Her role was more powerful in this film. Amithabh and Sridevi fall in love and they get married. Danny is of a great friendly help to the couple. On a mission, Bachchan leaves to India and never returns back. Back home, Devi delivers the junior baby and after waiting for years together not finding Bachchan return, she becomes insane. Baby grows up in the shelter of Danny. Sri, now a grown up wants to go to India in search of her father. She comes to India and falls in love with Nagarjun. Shilpa Shirodhkar also has a soft corner for Nag. Sri meets her father, father meets wife (Sri), daughter (Sri), friend (Danny), son in law (Nag).
This film was a super hit film and had some memorable songs by Kalyandji Anandji. A must watch for both Bachchan and Sridevi fans too

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Kamal Hassan was the actual GURU for Sridevi


Hindi Audiences saw only one film of Kamal Hassan and Sridevi. i.e, Sadma. And thats quite a surprise having known that they both have teamed in umpteen number of Tamil films together and their pair was a successful one. And to encash their team, their South Indian films got dubbed in Hindi, unfortunately it did not reach many places in Hindi belt. One of such Tamil film was 'Guru' released in 1980. Directed by famous director of Malayalam films, I.V.Sasi, the film got dubbed in Hindi with the same title. It is another fact and co-incidence that years later, Mithun and Sridevi were paired in a film Umesh Mehra, titled Guru. And now years later, Mani Ratnam did a film with Guru, and that had Mithun in it. So, you see.. Guru gets recycled with Actors involving with it. Getting back to the film, the story goes thus: After a tragic assault leads to his mother's death, Kamal becomes a renowned cat burglar called Guru. As the police try -- and fail -- to catch Guru, he uses the wealth he steals to build an orphanage in honor of his mother. But when he falls in love with Sri, the past comes back to haunt him in unexpected ways. This film had some steamy sexier scenes of Kamal Hassan and Sridevi, as in - Sridevi exposing her thighs when Kamal gets to treat her as an old man. Mixed with comedy, fights, romance and Illayaraja - the film was very successful.
And getting back to the heading - Yep. Sridevi learnt a lot from Kamal Hassan who infact was the student of K Balachander (the Guru of Tamil Cinema) and Kamal trained Sridevi and helped her a lot in all his movies.. with regard to their chemistry that - worked wonders. Infact, Kamal Hassan and Sridevi were like siblings always together, acting, dancing, training - Kamal and Sri were students of Acting.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

The film title should have been GURU DEVI - with Sri playing Double role in it!


Rishi Kapoor and Anil Kapoor played the title role of Guru and Dev. Both are in love with Devi and Devi. (Sri, plays a double role in the film as Sonia and Priya). Some funny situations and misunderstandings (in a comical situation), this film was incomplete with the sudden demise of the director/actor Vinod Mehra. It was his first directorial film and he had high hopes and expectations from the film. Later, his friend Raj Sippy completed the film and gave the finishing touches. But the credit of the film lies with Vinod Mehra. A film that can be watched only for some comic timings and Sridevi's presence. Nothing great about the film. Late RD Burman scored music for the film. Aana rey aana rey... was a hit number

Sundeep Malani
Double Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi is indeed the CHANDRAMUKHI and many fans are her DEVDAS!


Kamal Hassan, Sridevi and Sripriya formed the triangular love story for a Tamil film that was released in 1982 titled 'Vazhvey Maayam'. The film was huge successful which had good performances by all the three actors. It has been dubbed to Hindi with the title 'Chandramukhi Devdas'. Well, the other fact is that - the same film was remade in Hindi with Jeetendra, Reena Roy and Rekha playing the three characters (as mentioned above) in 'Prem Tapasya', and the Hindi version also did good business. The film is about Raja (Kamal) who is a die hard romantic, hopelessly in love with Devi. Trying to woo Sridevis heart Raja plays many a tricks in vain. Devi doubts Rajas intentions and insults him for pursuing her. Ultimately love prevails when Devi realizes the truth. Their marriage is fixed and preparations are underway when fate intervenes. Suddenly Raja starts avoiding Devi and deliberately indulges in wine and other women and with the help of a philosophical daasi,Radha (Sripriya) dramatizes a situation for Devi to hate him. Devi confronts them with the intention of winning Raja forever. Raja insults Devi and under advice from family and friends Devi marries another man. And at the end Devi goes to meet Kamal, when she sees him breathing his last (as he is suffering from cancer) and before he dies, he marries Sripriya and she voluntarily agrees to be his widow. The film had beautiful songs composed by Gangai Amaran and it was directed by R. Krishnamoorthy.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan

Sri indeed was ROOP KI RANI and Anil was tagged as CHORON KA RAJA


The film took almost 6 years to complete. A lavish production, costly venture with huge sets, mind blowing costumes and well choreographed songs... high expectation film .. but what a waste! The film failed miserably at the box office. Devi and Kapoor played the title roles in their home production (it is Boney's film). Satish Kaushik directed this disaster. Jackie Shroff *yes, he also is in the film) and Anil Kapoor play brothers separated in their childhood. Also, their childhood friend Sridevi is separated. Its Sri's and Anil's revenge on the villain (Anupam Kher) who had destroyed their family. Both play small time robbers who time to time indulge in Big Robbery. A comedy film is also an love story. The film has had some very good comedy scenes (the notable being, Sri as the Tamilian and as a Japanese).. In both the roles, her acting timing is superb and brings the house down. Laxmikanth Pyarelal scored music for the film.

Sundeep Malani
A die hard Sridevi Fan!

JAADU NAGRI se aayee hai koyee Jaadugarni (Sridevi)


This film is dubbed from a Tamil film titled 'Bala Nagamma' that was made in the year 1981. It got its Hindi title 'Jaadu Nagri'. It starred Sarath Babu opposite Sridevi. Now, you ask who is Sarath Babu? Lol... He is not very known to Hindi film circles. But he has been in the industry for quite sometime with memorable films like Sagar Sangam, Muthu and many Rajnikanth films. He is now a character artiste who acts in all South Language films. If one wants to remember he was also seen in the Hindi film Criminal who plays the villain. Enough of him, getting back to the film and Sridevi. She plays a magical lady who is been kidnapped by a woman to get magic powers from Sridevi, who transforms into a snake too. This film was inspired by the famous folklore of ancient times. Infact, this film has been made in all the South Indian languages with different actors in different eras. There has been two to three versions of this film. The film directed by K.Shankar was known for its spectacular costumes and sets and its music by Illayaraja and elaborate special effects.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Amithabh and Sridevi did JUMMA CHUMMA IN LONDON!


This was the famous musical nite that was held in London in 1991. And this musical concert was released in theatres as a musical event film (a sort of documentary). A pleasant one and half hour event (something like what we saw Michael Jackson's This is It, of lately). Jumma Chumma, the famous song from Hum, was the craze during that period and Bachchan headed the show with Devi doing her Chandni numbers. She came into the show in an elephant and performed for 'Mere Haathon Main Nau Nau Chudiyan'. She also danced with Bachchan for a few numbers. The heartthrob who entered the film world then, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan along with Neelam were also part of this show. Both the Khans danced to QSQT and Maine Pyar Kiya numbers. Anupam Kher was the other attraction. This event was musically conducted by Kalyandji Anandji. A hit show in London, which was only released for a week in theatres across country.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi ke filmein, 'DIL LAGAKE DEKHO'


This is the last one from the series of Krishna-Sridevi dubbed films in Hindi! Yep! too much, isn't it. They actually have worked in lots of Telugu movies and because of Sridevi's popularity and Krishna being the producer of many of original Hindi films (He runs the production company Padmalaya Studios) many of his jubilee hits were remade and dubbed too. This was again a K. Raghavendra Rao film made in 1980 titled 'Gharana Donga' which means Ghar Ka Chor...That would have been a good Hindi title, but they opted for 'Dil Lagake Dekho'. With music by Chakravarthy, the film was an action family drama and it also starred the famous hero of later years Mohan Babu as the villain.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi and Anil Kapoor were not liked in the roles of HEER RANJHA!


Harmesh Malhotra directs his favorite Sridevi for the fifth time, back to back with this film. Their earlier combination was the super duper hit Nagina, followed by its sequel Nigahen and then came Sherni, Banjaran and this Heer Ranjha. This eternal love story Heer Ranjha has been made umpteen number of times in Hindi and Punjabi. Barring the yesteryears classic with Late Raj Kumar and Priya Rajvansh, all the other films that have come including the Anil Kapoor-Sridevi film have been flops at the box office. In this eternal tragic costume love story, Sri plays Heer to perfection and Anil Kapoor plays her lover, Ranjha. The film was in Urdu and although it was portrayed wel, it did not go well with the audience. There were about 10 plus songs in the film. Laxmikanth Pyarelal scored music to the film. And its surprise to you fans, but Sridevi designed her personal costumes for the film.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Krishna CHOR Sridevi HASINA - Telugu magic lost in Hindi version!


K Raghavendra Rao was the director who gave Sridevi the biggest break in Himmatwala, and continued working with her in lots of Hindi films later on. He had initially worked with her in Telugu films and also has the maximum number of films done with her. In 1985 he had paired her opposite Krishna for the Telugu film 'Vajrayudham' which was a masala film that got dubbed in Hindi as 'Ek Chor Ek Hasina'. As the title goes, its about a rowdy thief who falls in love with a rich spoil brat. With other ingredients of songs, dance, maar dhaad and a bit comedy, the telugu film was sensationalized for Sridevi's dance number.
Infact, K Raghavendra Rao later used the same song picturised on Anita Raj and Rajesh Khanna for the film Masterji,

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi carried herself as Reshma very well in BANJAARAN!


Sri plays a Gypsy girl Reshma, who is in search of her lost love of the previous birth. She finds that her portrait has been done by a wealthy young man, even before they met. She tries to find the details. A reincarnation story, in the earlier birth she was the Queen of an Haveli. Rishi Kapoor was her love then. Fate did not allow them to wed each other in their last birth, and they got separated. So, they get united in the present era. Laxmikanth Pyarelal had tuned some melodious songs but the film was a flop from the hit director, Harmesh Malhotra.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi & Reshma Fan!

(Reshma is the name of my wife)

When Rajnikanth invited Sridevi at his place for lunch: CHOR KE GHAR CHORNI!

Style King Rajnikanth and Beauty Queen Sridevi starred in a couple of Tamil films and this was the one released in 1983 titled 'Adutha Varisu' directed by SP Muthuraman with melodious songs by maestro Illayaraja. The story goes thus: A young girl is born into a rich royal family. One day she goes to the temple with her mother and father. At that time her uncle kills her parents but she escapes but falls from a bridge into a river. After 25 years the girl (now Sridevi)s grandmother is in search of her granddaughter because she wants to give all her money before she dies and keep the royal family going. The uncle gets Rajnikanth to find a girl like Sridevi to inherit the property. When he finds one, the chorni (Sridevi) joins hands with Chor (Rajnikanth) and finally it is revealed that she is the only heir to the property.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi was the SHERNI of Indian Cinema.. No one could come closer to her position!


Sridevi plays Durga, a gypsy girl whose small happy family is gunned down by the villain Thakur Dharampal Singh (Kader Khan). She avenges revenge and from a gypsy outfit gets on to leather jackets and tight black shoes. She becomes a la Phoolan Devi - Sherni (Lady Tiger) and kills everyone responsible for the fate of her family and the fellow villagers. Shatrughan Sinha plays her love interest as a cop. The film was a disaster, but good to see for a change Sridevi playing the dacoit and running in horses. The film was directed by Harmesh Malhotra who gave Sridevi her career's hittest film till date, Nagina.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Mera Sridevi Ka updates hamesha rahega CHAALU PE CHAALU (meant to say, Ever-ready)


Krishna and Sridevi team up again and again. You must be wondering how many movies have they done together, because every second and third film details that I give here are Krishna and Sridevi. Infact, Krishna and Sridevi have worked together in 28 films. And most of them were either dubbed in Hindi or have been remade with Sridevi and Jeetendra/Rajesh Khanna. Getting back to this film, this was one of their earlier films made in 1980 by director K.S.R. Das. The title of the Telugu film was 'Bangaru Bava' which got its Hindi title 'Chaalu Pe Chaalu'. Sridevi plays a singer and Krishna falls in love with her (naturally!) and then both of them play hide and seek game to get to know each other. Cabaret dancer Jayamalini sizzles in a song number as a vamp in the film. The original songs of the film by Sathyam was re-recorded by Sonik Omi.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi aisi pari hai joh AASMAN SE GIRI hai!


Many of you may not be aware of this film. And what a day for me to write a diary about it. It was a coincidence that in the order of my diary that I make, today on the list was 'Aasman Se Gira' and it is a childrens film, that I present to you on Childrens Day.
Pankaj Parashar who directed Chaalbaaz for Sridevi directs this children fantasy film, that was produced by NFDC and was not released on a commercial basis. It was meant for Childrens Film Festival and it won some awards in the same category. Sridevi plays a Forest Goddess, in a guest appearance who becomes friendly with the main protagonists (the kids). Master Abhishek plays the lead along with other actors Kalpana Iyer, Anupam Kher and Raghuvir Yadav. Anil Kapoor, Sheeba and Amjad Khan play guest roles. Louis Banks composed music for the film.

Sundeep Malani
A Sridevi Fan, since I was a young kid!

Sridevi ke Hindi cinema main entry se aise AAYA TOOFAN ki....!


Krishna had some powerful dialogues in the film that became very famous amongst his fans. Tripuraneni Maharadhi had written them in Telugu which got dubbed in Hindi by an unknown writer and the effect wasn't there. Directed by A Kodandarami Reddy the film titled 'Kanchu Kagada' made in 1984 was dubbed in Hindi as 'Aaya Toofan' giving prominence to our heroine, Sridevi. The film was an action masala with all the ingredients of good music by Chakravarthy and comedy by veteran artists of Telugu industry. Gummadi, Nagesh, Suthi Velu, Chittibabu were in the cast with an item number by cabaret dancer Anuradha.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

yeh LAMHE, yeh Film hum, barso yaad karengey!


My personal favorite film. Yash Chopra directs this beautiful love story. Although the film was a flop and many people never like the 'idea' of the film, I treasure it as the best film from Yashji and Sridevi. It was a successful hit in overseas countries. It also won Sridevi applauds and Filmfare Award. The film also came out with an International version, titled 'Indian Summer'.
Sridevi played an elderly Rajasthani woman (Pallavi), whom Anil Kapoor is fascinated with. But Sri is in love with Deepak Malhotra. Both marry and die in an car accident, leaving their small infant behind. Anil Kapoor who loved Sri very much leaves abroad and takes care of the daughter as a guardian with the help of Waheeda Rehman, back in India. The daughter grows up to be a young and beautiful Sridevi (Pooja). Anil, now is an old man. Sri, with her child like mannerisms later falls in love with the elderly Anil. But Anil does not reciprocate her feelings. But, at the climax everything is set right and they get married. Agreed, such relationships are hard to digest, but the way it is projected is indeed - wonderful. Anupam Kher gives ample support for the team. Shiv Hari composes hit music. All the songs are well tuned and rendered by Lataji, Hariharan.

Sundeep Malani
A die hard Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi ne dikhayee KANOON KI HATHKADEE!


K Bapaiah directs Krishna and Sridevi in the 1985 film Mavoori Magaadu which gets dubbed into Hindi as Kanoon Ki Hathkadee. Krishna is a gangster with a good heart. He always has time and empathy for needy and poor people. His family are aware of his criminal career, and will have nothing to do with him, and he is not welcome home anymore. Virendra saves the life of a beautiful young woman Kavita (Sridevi) who falls in love with him. But Virendra is not ready to fall in love, as his life is risky and he faces the risk of death - at the hands of his rivals, and other gangsters who he has wronged - every moment of his life. The film was a masala potboiler and a flop in Telugu. It did not run in Hindi as well.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi ki NIGAHEN - Nagina (diamond) jaisi hai!


The first sequel in Indian films. After the runaway tremendous success of Nagina, Harmesh Malhotra did the sequel. But, unfortunately the attempt turned flop. The film had a good subject, though. It continued, from where it stopped in Nagina. In the sequel, Sri and Rishi are no more, but their daughter Sri (Neelam) comes back to the Haveli after completion of her studies abroad. Its uncle Pran who takes care of her as a guardian. Anupam Kher, the evil disciple of Baironath (Amrish Puri) is eager to get the Nagina (precious diamond). Sridevi is always protected by two snakes (her mother Sridevi's friends). Anupam Kher cannot get hold of Devi and the diamond. So he transforms a trapped snake into human (Sunny Deol) and puts him into action to get hold of Devi. Sunny falls in love with Devi eventually and later he also defends Kher. The hit song from the original, Main Teri Dushman gets repeated here picturised on Devi and the tantriks in golden avatar (Sri wears a golden attire) for this number. Finally, Kher breathes his last after getting punished for his crime, and Sri and Sunny live happily everafter as human beings. Thus, brought the end of the sequel. Well, later Malhotra also announced the threequel for the film of having Nagina Part III, but it got shelved before it was even started.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

It was a total Sridevi film although it was titled JOHNY USTAD


Johny was one of the best film of Rajnikanth and Sridevi. The film, made in Tamil in 1980 was directed by Mahendran and had Illayaraja's soulful songs. The original Tamil songs are popular even to this date and is almost a must in college culturals and the light music concerts. Rajnikanth played dual role in the film with Deepa playing the other heroine. Sridevi plays Archana, a popular singer. Rajnikanth is an ardent fan of hers. He never misses her stage shows (as I never miss any of her films). Sridevi notices Rajni's fascination for her and one fine day proposes him. He is a bit reluctant as to his personal background. There is another Rajni, who is a barber. He is in love with Deepa. But he gets to know of her real identity of her infidelity and so he murders her. The blame is on Johny. When on a run, Barber Rajni gets hurt and is nursed by Sridevi. She assumes him to be her fan Rajni. Finally, barber Rajni gets to know the true love of Sridevi and her fan Rajni. He unites them and surrenders himself to the cops. The film was a very successful film and it is worth to watch the Hindi dubbed version JOHNY USTAD, although it didn't do well at the box office.
FYI, when this film was made, Sri was just 17 yrs old and she took up the role of an adult (with wearing Sarees throughout the movie. Infact, all though it was Rajnikanth in the title role and that too a double role, the film is still remembered for Sridevi's soft nature portrayed on screen and her  brilliant performance.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan

Sridevi's and Govinda's pair was infact, GAIR KANOONI :-)


I am sure many of you might not know/or might have forgotten that Sridevi and Govinda were the lead players for this film. Rajnikanth and Kimi Katkar formed the other pair. Shashi Kapoor headed the cast. Sridevi plays a pickpocket er Lakshmi and Govinda, a rich playboy. Both meet accidentally on many occasions and fall in love. Sri is the daughter of a rich tycoon but she gets separated in child birth and she leads a life in a chawl. Milna, Bichadna aur phir se milna. There are villains too, whom the main starcast bash them up at the climax. The pairing of Govinda and Sridevi did not work. In many a scenes they were looking like siblings. A film with lots of comedy timings of facial expressions and good dances by Sri.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi in different get ups of yesteryear actresses is the highlight of NAAKA BANDI!


Dharmendra pairs with Sridevi in the film. It is not a great pair, neither a hit pair. Definately not. Its a pair which one cannot even think of. Sridevi has had her hit pairs with Jeetendra right from the beginning and then her pairing with Anil Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Jackie Shroff and Sunny Deol also were considered hit in Hindi cinema. Besides she has done films with Bachchan, Mithun, Rakesh Roshan, Feroz Khan to name a few. And some odd pairs include those of young actors Rahul Roy and Deepak Malhotra. Not to forget Govinda. And seniority of Shatrughan Sinha and Dharmendra. Thats for record.
Getting back to this film, Shibu Mitra directs the film with Dharmendra playing a village bumpkin who falls in love with Sridevi and they get married. Chunky Pandey and Sonam form the young pair. With some villains to go by, Devi sings in the climax with the Usha Uthup voice, the title song. One highlight of this flop film is Sri appearing in a single song with 15 different get ups of actresses Rekha, Hema, Waheeda, Mala Sinha, Nargis, Mumtaz etc. Also she does a Gabbar Singh too! And the song is to say, whoever she can look like, she is better looking like Sridevi! Rightly said!!!

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!
And I love the song 'Main lagthi Hoon... Sridevi lagthi hoon'

Krishna bana Sridevi ka WAQT KA SHAHENSHAH


Kanchan Mahalaxmi (Sridevi) is a saleslady, who sells Sarees and garments. She does this on her bicycle, and goes around from village to village, and community to community, and does this for a living, in order to support her family. One day, during one of her sales-travels, she meets with Manoj Kumar (Krishna) who is a farmer. After a few quarrels and misunderstandings, both end up falling in love with each other, and want to get married. Before Kanchan could inform her family about this alliance, she finds out that her dad has "sold" her to a wealthy man for a few thousand rupees. Krishna comes to the rescue and saves her from the clutches of the greedy dad and the wealthy villain. K Bapaiah directed this film 'Jayam Manade' in Telugu in 1986 which got dubbed in Hindi as 'Waqt Ka Shahenshah'. Original music of Chakravarthy was redone in Hindi by Laxmikanth Pyarelal, as the songs in Telugu were successful and the sound track got damaged, hence the producers signed LP to redo the songs to get a Hindi feeling. Unfortunately, the music and the film bombed in Hindi.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan

Patha nahi is film main kaun tey - FARISHTAY?


Another stale version of Sholay. Rajnikanth is a police officer. He is married to Swapna. Rajnikanth gets brutally murdered in front of the entire village on an Independence Day by Sadashiv Amrapurkar, the corrupt villain, who wants to rule India. Swapna loses her memory. Her brothers, Dharam pa and Vinod Khanna seek revenge. Jaya Pradha appears in a two minute role as Dharmendra's beloved, who is also murdered. Sridevi (as Rasberi) plays Vinod Khanna's sweetheart and she is the only grace in this nonsense film. She plays a village belle (more like Basanthi in Sholay) who helps Dharam pa, Vinod Khanna, Rajni, Swapna in the mission directed by Anil Sharma. This film was produced by Sattee Shourie (the ex mother in law of Boney Kapoor). During the making of the film, Sri was travelling in and out of Chennai.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

ZULM KI ZANJEER - Superstars of Tamil & Telugu - Rajnikanth - Chiranjeevi with Sridevi


Rajnikanth is a military man. After he finishes his training he comes to his village. He meets the village belle (Sridevi) and after she rags him for quite some time, they fall in love. Rajinkanth's friend is Chiranjeevi who is in a bad company of villains. He marries Rajni's sister and finally all goes well, everyone is united. This was a Tamil film, titled 'Raanuva Veeran' released in 1981 and directed by S.P. Muthuraman, that got dubbed in Hindi with the title 'Zulm Ki Zanjeer'. Jayalalitha also played a important role in the film. MS Vishwanathan composed the music for the film.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sirf Is Film ko dekhkar main PATHAR KA INSAN ban gaya.. Mujhe Film Pasand nahi aaya!


Jaya Pradha and Sridevi were sisters in Tohfa and their chemistry together in several movies established their success. Well people said Jaya was a competition to Devi. But, see what proved finally. Well, coming to this film Jaya opted out at the last moment and Poonam Dhillon took her place as the elder sister. And to this day, Poonam and Devi are good friends. They have worked together in a couple of films namely besides this film in Karma, Sone Pe Suhaaga, Himmat Aur Mehnat and Judaai. Getting back to the film, Asha (Poonam) and Latha (Devi) are sisters who are good in dance and singing. They both compete and Poonam wins, Devi gets irritated and frustated so she drives a car recklessly and in her rash driving she kills a girl and meets with an accident and loses her memory. Poonam loves Jackie, but he silently loves Devi. Vinod Khanna comes in the scene to help Devi from her trauma. They fall in love and get married. It is later known that he actually is in verge to kill Devi as she had killed his sister in the accident. . A film that I want to forget because I did not like the film. Watched it only because of Sridevi. This film is worst from Kajol family (Her father Shomu Mukherjee is the producer).

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!
(This film only because of You)

Sridevi bani thi GHAYAL SHERNI!


K Bapaiah directed Sridevi and Krishna in the Telugu film 'Makutam Leni Maharaju' in 1987 which was dubbed in Hindi as 'Ghayal Sherni'. The title and the plot had nothing to do. It was more of a Krishna film (I mean a heroic) film than that of a heroine oriented. But who knows Krishna in Hindi films. Eveyone knows only the Lord Krishna. Lol. It was only Devi that everyone knows. Sridevi. Hence a film with her had to be dubbed for the distributors could do some money and her fans could rejoice. (Like I did). Sri plays Rajni who is in love with Ravinder (Krishna). They both join hands together and give justice to Arathi (Aruna). A Masala film was a average run in Telugu and a flop in Hindi.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan

Sridevi was at her best in & as CHAALBAAZ!



Modernized and stylished Seeta Aur Geeta. Hema Malini was very good in the original. And Sridevi is brilliant and wonderful (for her dual characters) in this remake, thats why she won the Filmfare Award for this film. Sri plays Anju and Manju. One is a calm and a sacrificing girl and another is a tomboyish brat. Sunny Deol and Rajnikanth get confused with their girls. Anupam Kher, Rohini Hattangady and Shakti (Bal....maa) Kapoor are the comedy 'baddies', while Anu Kapoor, Aruna Irani, Saeed Jaffrey and Master Aftab Shivdasani (he was a small boy) give ample support. Pankaj 'Jalwa' Parashar directs this fun film with super hit music and excellent dances choreographed by Saroj Khan. 'Na Jaane Kahan Se aayi hai' picturised in the rain sequence. In fact, during its shooting, Sri had a high temperature and inspite of that, she continued shooting till 3 am in the morning. Highly recommended to those who haven't watched this film.

Sundeep Malani
'Tera Beemar Mera Dil, mera Jeena Huva Mushkil, Karoon kya Haai...'
Sridevi Fan

Rajnikanth is AAJ KA DADA!


Thanikattu Raja was a 1983 Tamil film directed by V.C.Gohanathan. The film thanks to its stars Rajnikanth and Sridevi got dubbed in Hindi as 'Aaj Ka Dada'. Rajinikanth plays a local Dada who is in love with Sridevi. He finishes all the baddies and wins Devi from the clutches of the villain. Sri Priya and Silk Smitha also are in the cast with music by Ilayaraja. The Tamil film was produced by Suresh Productions (D Rama Naidu). Dinesh Salgia produced the Hindi dubbed version.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan

Sridevi and the Elephant say : MAIN TERA DUSHMAN!


Sridevi and Sunny Deol are in love. Poor Sunny gets killed and Sridevi becomes mad. She starts throwing stones at everyone she comes across. In the climax also, she does the same, after she regains her memory and becomes normal. Lol! Well, this is just a part of the story as Sridevi plays a special appearance in the film. The film is not about her and Sunny. The main protagonist in the film are Jackie Shroff and Jaya Pradha, who have a kid. And their family also has an Elephant and a kid elephant. Here, the elephant dies (as the villain gang kills it) and the small elephant is the witness to the murder. The kid elephant is been taken care by the couple. With other drama to the story, it is the kid elephant which says (to the villain): Main Tera Dushman! The film was produced by BMB productions, Bokadias who earlier have done films with animals and have been successful. This film also was a success film, that had Rajesh Khanna playing a cameo (the character from Haathi Mere Saathi). Sridevi had one romantic song with Sunny and at the climax she dances in the villain's gang as Jugni Disco Disco... (her name in the film is Jugni)!

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Kisiko bhi MAUT KI LADAI dekhna pasand nahi tha!


Telugu Stars Shobhan Babu and Krishna play Krishna and Raju who are very good friends. Jaya Pradha and Sridevi are their beloveds respectively. Due to misunderstanding (Sridevi is Sobhan Babu's sister) the friends turn foes and finally they reunite once again. This masala potboiler was a hit in Telugu titled 'Krishnarajunulu' that was released in 1982. It got its Hindi title 'Maut Ki Ladaai'. Dasari Narayan Rao directed the film with music by K Chakravarthy

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

Sridevi gets sandwiched between RAM AVTAR!


Inspired by Raj Kapoor - Rajendra Kumar - Vyjantimala starrer Sangam, Ram Avtaar was directed by Sunil Hingorni. Ram (Sunny Deol) and Avtar (Anil Kapoor) both are good friends and both of them are in love with my heroine. My heroine loves Ram and also is friendly with Avtar. Avtar mistakes her friendship for love. Ram and my heroine (Sangeeta, Sri's name in the film) sing: Ungli Main Angooti, Angooti Main Nagina. But, she gets married to Avtar. They live happily as Devi forgets her past. But, with a character like Gundappa Swami (Shakti Kapoor), Avtar learns Devi's past. Confusions and misunderstanding arises. Ram and Avtar both want to sacrifice their love for each other. One consumes poison and another dies donating his blood. Actually he donates every drop from his body and so becomes weak, hence he has to unite the married couple and breathes his last. The film was a musical hit.

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

3 Superstars of South deliver Superflop with AAKHRI SANGRAM


Kamal Hassan, Sridevi and Rajnikanth are the three Super stars of Tamil cinema. The trio have always delivered award winning, applauded super hits down South. This film, originally a Tamil film 'Thaayillaamal Naanillai' (1978) was also a successful run. Rajnikanth made a cameo in the film, while Kamal and Sridevi played the romantic lead. It was dubbed in Hindi as 'Aakhri Sangram'. But, the dubbed version failed miserably. Sridevi plays Pushpa, Zamindar ki beti who falls in love with Raja (Kamal Hassan) a poor man. Pushpa's father wants to get her married to Mohan, a rich baddie. But on daughters insistence the father agrees. He asks Raja to get his mother home so that they can settle for the proposal. When the mother arrives, she is for a shock as she was a maid servant of the house years ago. The father puts a condition to the mother - to leave her son and go elsewhere and he will get her daughter married to her son. She agrees. Finally, son gets to know the sacrifice of the mother and he intervenes. Rest - do I need to say? All ends well in a Hindi (oops, Tamil film of course!). Illayaraja and Shankar Ganesh composed music for the film directed by Thyagarajan (the stunt master/villain of yesteryear). Thyagrajan is the father of Tamil hero Prashanth (the costar of Aishwarya Rai in Jeans)

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

There was no JOSH in JOSHILAAY!


Shekar Kapoor directed the film and half way through left the project only to be later completed by Sibte Hassan Rizvi. Hence, the final credit for the direction went to Rizvi. It took almost 5 years to complete the project which was a poor/xerox copy of Sholay type of film. Initially titled 'Joshilaay Joshilaay' (the title repeated twice - I guess because for the two heroes)... the film finally released with only one title and moreover, the verdict being: There was absolute no Josh in the film at all. As it got stale and outdated when released, none of the artists took interest in the film. Sridevi's voice which was pleasant to hear from the beginning (also her dubbed voice by Naaz) was dubbed by some Jr. Artist for the film. And that sounded creepy. The film shot in deserts and forests, with dust, horses and guns had Sunny Deol and Anil Kapoor playing cowboy characters. Sridevi plays Reshma, a gypsy girl who pairs with Deol and Meenakshi plays a sad character in love with not so romantic Kapoor. The examples of the character are the same as Sholay. Deol does the Dharampa and Kapoor does the Bachchan. Sridevi, is the talkative Basanthi and Sheshadri is the silent Jayaji. Kulbushan Karbanda is the Gabbar here. RD Burman's music is good to hear but not good to see on screen. Watchable - only for Sridevi!

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!

WAQT KI AWAZ ne Sridevi ko ehsaas dilaya ki.....!


This was the fourth and the last film of Mithun and Sridevi together. Their earlier three films were Jaag Utha Insaan in the early days of Sridevi to Hindi films and then after a gap back to back with Watan Ke Rakhwale, Guru and Waqt Ki Awaz. This was a south Indian production produced by T. Trivakrama Rao and directed by K Bapaiah, who adapted his own Telugu film of Krishna in Hindi. Mithun plays a truck driver. And Sridevi falls in love with him. Neelam appears in a cameo. The rest of the gang of Kader Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Asrani were must in K Bapaiah films. Bappi Lahiri scores the music that has dances, fights, comedy and some nonsense too!  This was the last film of the Sridevi-Mithun duo. No more comments on this! All I can say is: Waqt Ki Awaz ne Sridevi ko ehsaas dilaya ki woh Mithunda ke saath aaindha kaam naa kare!

Sundeep Malani
Sridevi Fan!